Page 21 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
Yet, he desperately needed an agreement from Séamus. War with the MacDougalls was something he wished fervently to avoid. Especially as he was aware that the MacKinnons of Mull, under the lairdship of that cursed Murchadh MacKinnon, were allies of the MacDougalls. Two powerful clans against the MacNeils of Barra and the MacLeods of Skye. He shook his head at the prospect of such a clash.
To his surprise Barclay MacAlpin had stirred himself to speak up, his voice little more than a croak. “I’ve an idea that ye might find tae yer liking.”
All eyes turned to the grey-hair.
“I’ll take heed of yer wisdom, old man,” Everard said with a grin.
Barclay took a sip of ale, cleared his throat and waited a moment.
Everard smiled to himself. The old man certainly kent how to gain the attention of a rowdy group.
Once all eyes were on him and all voices hushed, Barclay spoke.
“Séamus is correct. There is nay way he can ken which cogs bear MacDougall’s cargo. Unless…” He took another sip of ale.
Everard drew in a sharp breath, waiting and hoping MacAlpin’s next words would bring some kind of solution to the dilemma he was facing.
“…we find someone who can infiltrate MacDougall’s shipping and uncover the details of his consignments. Where they’re from, the cargo’s contents, and, most importantly, how tae identify the cogs carrying his goods. Once the names of those ships are kent tae ye…” he nodded to Finn and Séamus, who were taking in every word. “…ye will ken which of the cogs tae ignore and which tae plunder.”
Everard considered this for a few moments. “I like yer idea, if we can find such a person. But, daesnae MacDougall divide his cargo between many ships?”
“Nay,” Finn responded. “We’ve gleaned enough tae ken ‘tis nae practical fer him. He moves the cargo once his warehouse fills and sails it on one cog. When his warehouse is again crammed with the smuggled goods he trades, he sails them again. He doesnae distribute his cargo between cogs.”
Turning to Barclay, Everard grinned. “Yer scheme has merit old man, I thank ye.”
The old man chuckled, “Ye need tae arise from yer bed early in the morn if ye’re tae outthink a canny old pirate such as meself.”
At that, Hugo MacRae lifted his head and uncrossed his arms. “Mayhap I could be the man fer the task ye’ve laid out, me laird MacAlpin.”
Everard threw Hugo a startled look, one eyebrow raised.
“Dinnae look surprised. D’ye forget that before I came tae bide wi’ ye at Barra I had spent some years in France. First off, fighting with the French against the English. After that…” He shrugged a careless shoulder. “… nae far from the port of La Rochelle. Because I could speak both French and English, they made use of me at the port. Trust me, smuggling wine into England is a lucrative trade.”
Everard nodded slowly. “Aye. I kent that.”
“Aye. ‘T’would be easy enough tae locate MacDougall’s warehouse. After that, I’d have nay difficulty in finding out which of the ships he favors fer his trade.”
Finn looked at him questioningly. “And how would ye convey this information tae us, Hugo, so that we ken which cogs are blacklisted?”
“There are many ships plying between Calais and Scotland. I’ll make it me business tae recruit messengers who can transfer the names tae ye before the cog departs. Me reckoning is that he will favor the same ones each time. If that’s so, me task will be done after only a matter of months have passed and I shall return leaving the task tae me well-paid new messengers.”
“’Tis danger involved in this spying, Hugo.” Everard shook his head, frowning.
“Aye. But a hint of danger makes the blood run warm in me veins.” He shot Everard a hint of a wry grin. “I’ve aught tae occupy me wily skills in Kiessimul. Ye’ve little need of me these days, me laird. Ye’ve grown since ye took on the lairdship. Ye’ve little call fer me counsel.” He guffawed.
Everard grunted. “Nevertheless, I value yer company. Even if it is only so I may disagree wi’ yer counsel.”
“Is that an aye then, me laird?”
“I’ve nay choice but tae agree, lad.” He looked around the gathering. “Unless one of ye has a better proposal fer how we’re tae deal with MacDougall?”
They remained stony faced.
“Very well. I’ll agree tae this, but I wish ye tae take care.” Everard laid his hand on Hugo’s shoulder. “I wish ye God’s speed, Hugo MacRae. And ye travel wi’ me hope that ye’ll succeed and return tae us before too much time has passed.”
Séamus got to his feet. “Ye’d best be gone on the tide then, lad. One of me birlinns can sail ye as far as the Isle of Man, but from then ye’ll need tae make yer own way tae France.”
Hugo rose, nodded to the others, and followed Finn and Séamus from the solar. Aileen and Maxwell who had observed the meeting without comment, also rose.
